With reviews deadlines fast approaching I figured it was time to buckle down and make some time to get some reviews done. One of the first CDs that came to my hand was this one by Shadowdance so I figured it was as good a place as any to start. Shadowdance are out of Philadelphia. The band was formed in 1999 by guitarist Carlos Alvarez and drummer Jason Fraticelli. They were joined later by bassist Brad Stuart. They are joined on this Cd by guests Russ Friend: lead vocals and Mark Shveima: lead vocals on track #3. The band describes their sound as combining the heaviness and aggressiveness of American powermetal with the speed and epic bombast of the European style along with a sprinkling of everything from black metal to progressive to Latin jazz.

“Climb” sets the stage for what this release will offer. This is an heavy and crunching track that delivers the message that Shadowdance is going to deliver with aggression. The thrashy “Set Free” has vocalist Russ Friend delivering the verse in a style reminiscent of Russ Anderson of Forbidden. “Stones in a River/Ageless” , though technically 2 different songs for all intents and purposes they are one big track. “Stones” kicks off the 2 parter with a melancholy trek through love lost. “Stones” segues into “Ageless” where the midtempo romp takes us through more of the trials of life. The CD is a concept disc revolving around the experiences and emotions faced in life and the songs reflect this with lyrics that are at times depressing and dark.

After the recording of this CD Shadowdance has recruited a full time vocalist in the person of Peter Donk. The band is working on a new demo in the hopes of being signed to a European deal. Shadowdance definitely have the aggressiveness of American powermetal but fall short of the speed and epic bombast of European powermetal. http://www.monumentalgroup.com